This was a momentous night in Bournemouth’s history, although the truth is they would have been given a far sterner examination by Coventry or Hull. Whatever this rotten impersonation of a Milan side was, it bore no relation to those that forged such a celebrated history. The visitors resembled holograms even before their goalkeeper Mike Maignan, with an extraordinary rush of blood resulting in a penalty and red card, rendered their task impossible. They never showed the slightest hint of putting up a fight.

Bournemouth simply swamped the seven-time European champions and, amid a swirling south coast storm that rarely let up, could depart singing in the rain. Amine Adli’s sumptuous late free-kick, curled left-footed from 22 yards, meant they could finish the evening with the flourish they deserved.…